Senior UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Designer Company: Commonwealth Bank Location: Sydney, NSW - CBP South, 11 Harbour Street, Australia Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Digital Design / User Experience Operations Date Posted: 2025-09-18 Experience Level: 7+ Years (Senior) Remote Status: On-site (Sydney, NSW)

🚀 Role Summary

• This Senior UI Designer role focuses on enhancing digital investing experiences for CommSec, a division of Commonwealth Bank, by designing user interfaces for both web and mobile applications.
• The position requires a strong emphasis on advocating for and contributing to a unified design language and design system across multiple digital channels and platforms.
• A key aspect of this role involves applying systems thinking to anticipate customer needs and conceptualize offerings that provide seamless core trading experiences.
• The successful candidate will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers and product designers, within an agile environment to deliver high-quality, accessible, and user-centered designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Senior UI Designer," the responsibilities and context provided suggest a role that bridges traditional UI design with elements of UX strategy and design system management. The focus on "reimagining CommSec's digital experiences" and "shaping the future of digital investing" indicates a strategic contribution beyond pure visual design. The mention of "Revenue Operations" or "Sales Operations" is not directly applicable here, as this is a product design role. However, the emphasis on seamless customer experiences and guiding customers to investments implies a direct impact on customer acquisition and retention, which are key metrics in revenue operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and create detailed, pixel-perfect user interfaces for a range of digital platforms and channels, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive user experience.
• Actively contribute to, guide, and champion the CommSec design language and its underlying design system, promoting consistency and scalability.
• Apply systems thinking to conceptualize and develop offerings that proactively address customer needs within defined problem spaces, anticipating future requirements.
• Develop prototypes and utilize visual storytelling techniques to effectively communicate and influence the strategic direction of user experiences.
• Produce comprehensive design documentation, including style guides and component specifications, to facilitate seamless implementation by agile delivery teams.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, product designers, and subject matter experts within a scaled agile framework to align on strategic contributions and maintain design standards.
• Actively participate in and facilitate design critiques, workshops, and agile ceremonies, providing and receiving constructive feedback to continuously enhance design outcomes and processes.
• Engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders across various seniority levels and backgrounds throughout the agile product development lifecycle.
• Measure and validate the impact of design solutions post-launch, leveraging qualitative and quantitative insights to inform iterative improvements and optimize user journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on UI design, design system stewardship, and cross-functional collaboration. The emphasis on "anticipating needs," "influencing future direction," and "measuring impact" points towards a strategic contribution that aligns with optimizing customer journeys, which indirectly supports revenue generation by improving conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field. Experience: Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in designing digital user interfaces, preferably within cross-functional product teams.

Required Skills:

• Highly developed visual communication skills with a strong aesthetic sense and attention to detail.
• Mastery of modern design tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD).
• Proven ability to design, develop, and maintain complex design systems, creating usable, accessible, and modular UI components.
• Experience in designing for native platforms, including iOS and Android, as well as web interfaces.
• Proficient in human-centered design methodologies and experienced in working within fast-paced agile development environments.
• Demonstrated understanding of front-end development principles, with experience working within design frameworks and utilizing design tokens.
• Exceptional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and complexity, effectively balancing customer needs with business objectives.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional user-interface craft, design system thinking, and demonstrable impact on product outcomes.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in designing for native platforms with working knowledge of front-end technologies like Swift, Jetpack Compose (for Android), or React.
• Proven track record of driving successful outcomes through the implementation and utilization of design systems.
• Experience working within the Financial Services industry or other sectors that integrate physical and digital service delivery.
• Exposure to broader product design principles and the end-to-end product design lifecycle.
• A passion for mentoring junior designers and contributing to the growth of design craft within an organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 7+ years of experience and the emphasis on design systems, accessibility, and cross-functional collaboration indicate a senior-level role. The preferred skills in financial services and product design suggest a candidate who can quickly adapt to the industry's nuances and contribute holistically to product development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating the design process from problem definition to final solution.
• Highlight projects where design systems were either created, significantly contributed to, or heavily utilized, emphasizing modularity and scalability.
• Include examples of complex UI designs for web and/or native mobile applications (iOS/Android).
• Demonstrate proficiency in using modern design tools (e.g., Figma), including interaction design and prototyping capabilities.
• Present evidence of designing for accessibility (WCAG standards) and explain the rationale behind accessibility considerations.
• Quantify the impact of your design work where possible, using metrics related to user engagement, conversion rates, task completion, or customer satisfaction.

Process Documentation:

• Portfolio case studies should clearly articulate the design process, including user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and iteration.
• Detail contributions to design system components, including their purpose, usage guidelines, and technical implementation considerations.
• Show examples of collaboration with engineering and product teams, illustrating how design documentation was consumed and implemented.
• Include examples of how user feedback and data insights were used to iterate on designs and improve user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UI Designer role, the portfolio is critical. It needs to demonstrate not just visual design skills but also strategic thinking, systems thinking, and the ability to drive impact through design. Emphasizing design systems and accessibility is key, as is showing how designs translate into measurable business outcomes, which is a core tenet of operations excellence.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior UI Designer role in Sydney, Australia, with 7+ years of experience, a competitive salary range would typically be AUD $130,000 - $180,000 per annum, depending on specific skills, experience, and performance during the interview process.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision).
• Generous paid time off (annual leave, sick leave, public holidays).
• Superannuation contributions (Australian retirement savings scheme) above the mandatory requirement.
• Opportunities for professional development, including training budgets, workshops, and conference attendance.
• Employee share plan or performance-based bonuses.
• Access to CommBank's employee assistance program for well-being support.
• Potential for flexible working arrangements, though the role is primarily on-site.
• Discounts on Commonwealth Bank products and services.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are typically 37.5 to 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, Commonwealth Bank often offers some flexibility around start and end times to accommodate work-life balance, provided business needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on industry benchmarks for senior-level design roles in major Australian cities like Sydney. Benefits are standard for large corporations like Commonwealth Bank and are crucial for attracting and retaining talent in competitive fields.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services, Banking, and Investment Services. CommSec is a leading online stockbroking and investment services provider in Australia. Company Size: Commonwealth Bank is one of the "Big Four" banks in Australia, employing tens of thousands of people globally, indicating a large, established corporate environment with extensive resources. Founded: Commonwealth Bank was founded in 1911, signifying a long history and deep roots in the Australian financial landscape.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within CommSec's Digital and Customer Experience Chapter Area, a specialized group focused on enhancing digital products.
• You will be part of a cross-functional chapter, working closely with Product Designers, UI Designers, Engineers, Product Managers, and potentially UX Researchers and Business Subject Matter Experts.
• The structure likely follows agile methodologies, with designers embedded within product teams or squads responsible for specific features or customer journeys.
• Reporting is likely to a Design Chapter Lead or a Head of Digital Experience within CommSec.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on human-centered design principles and agile development methodologies (e.g., Scrum, SAFe).
• Commitment to data-driven decision-making, utilizing analytics and user insights for continuous improvement.
• Focus on building and maintaining a robust design system to ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across digital products.
• Collaboration and knowledge sharing are encouraged through design critiques, workshops, and community of practice events.

Company Website: www.commbank.com.au

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within a large, established financial institution like Commonwealth Bank means exposure to robust processes, significant resources, and a structured career path. The digital division (CommSec) likely operates with a more agile and innovative mindset, aiming to compete effectively in the digital investment space. Understanding this duality is key for operations professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position within the digital design function. It implies a high degree of autonomy, responsibility for complex projects, and the ability to influence design strategy and standards. The role is expected to contribute significantly to the quality and effectiveness of CommSec's digital offerings.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UI Designer will likely report to a Design Chapter Lead or a Manager within the Digital and Customer Experience team. They will work collaboratively within cross-functional agile teams, reporting progress and insights to product owners and squad leads as needed.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts customer acquisition, retention, and satisfaction by creating intuitive and efficient digital investment experiences. Successful UI design contributes to higher conversion rates, reduced customer support inquiries, and increased user engagement, all of which have a direct positive effect on CommSec's revenue and market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design Systems: Opportunity to become a lead contributor or owner of the CommSec design system, influencing its evolution and adoption.
• Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior designers, sharing expertise and fostering design talent within the organization.
• Product Strategy: Gain deeper involvement in product strategy discussions, leveraging design expertise to shape product roadmaps.
• Specialization: Develop expertise in specific areas like financial technology (FinTech) design, accessibility, or interaction design for complex financial applications.
• Cross-functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into related roles such as Product Design Lead, UX Lead, or even Product Management roles with sufficient experience and demonstrated capability.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, understanding the career trajectory within a large bank's digital arm is crucial. This role offers a path to leadership within design, influence over product strategy, and potential diversification into related product roles, all of which are valuable for career growth.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Sydney, NSW, at Commonwealth Bank Place (CBP) South, 11 Harbour Street, indicating a modern, corporate office environment. Commonwealth Bank is known for its contemporary office spaces designed to foster collaboration and innovation. Office Location(s): The primary location is Sydney CBD Area, a central business district with excellent public transport links, amenities, and a vibrant working atmosphere.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be open-plan, facilitating collaboration with colleagues from various disciplines within the agile teams.
• Access to state-of-the-art design tools, software, and hardware is expected.
• Regular opportunities for face-to-face interaction with product teams, engineers, and stakeholders for brainstorming, design reviews, and agile ceremonies.
• The environment is expected to be dynamic, fast-paced, and focused on delivering innovative digital solutions.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, likely Monday to Friday. While the role is on-site, Commonwealth Bank often supports flexible working arrangements, such as adjusted start/end times, provided business objectives and team collaboration needs are met. This flexibility can be beneficial for managing personal commitments alongside demanding project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major city like Sydney implies a fully immersive corporate experience. Understanding the collaborative nature of the workspace and the potential for some schedule flexibility is important for candidates assessing their preferred work style.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit CV and a link to your portfolio via the Commonwealth Bank careers portal.
• Initial Screening: HR or a Talent Acquisition specialist will review applications for basic qualifications and experience.
• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A design lead or senior designer will assess your portfolio for craft, systems thinking, and process. This may be followed by a technical interview focusing on UI design principles, tool proficiency, and problem-solving.
• Cross-functional Interview: You'll likely meet with members of the product team (Product Manager, Engineers, other Designers) to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and cultural fit within an agile squad.
• Stakeholder/Leadership Interview: An interview with a Design Chapter Lead or senior management to discuss strategic thinking, leadership potential, and alignment with company values.
• Final Offer: Based on the cumulative feedback from all interview stages.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Effectively: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize those showcasing design systems, complex UI challenges, and measurable impact.
• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process followed, key decisions made, and the final outcome and its impact. Use visuals effectively to illustrate your journey.
• Highlight Design Systems: Dedicate specific sections or clear explanations to your experience with design systems – how you contributed, managed, or utilized them. Showcase component examples and their benefits.
• Showcase Tools & Process: Demonstrate your proficiency with Figma or other relevant tools. Detail your application of human-centered design principles and agile methodologies.
• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs. This could include improvements in conversion rates, user satisfaction scores, or task completion times.
• Accessibility Focus: Explicitly discuss your approach to accessibility and how you ensure inclusive design practices.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge or a deep dive into a specific portfolio project.
• Practice articulating your design process and rationale concisely.
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewers about the team, projects, design culture, and challenges.
• Research CommSec and Commonwealth Bank's digital products, brand, and mission to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior role at a major bank is typically thorough. Candidates should meticulously prepare their portfolio, focusing on demonstrating strategic impact and system thinking, not just visual aesthetics. Practicing clear communication of their design process and rationale is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (primary), Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, XD), Sketch.
• Design Systems: Experience with creating, managing, and utilizing design systems, including understanding of design tokens, component libraries, and style guides.
• Collaboration: Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) and user behavior tracking tools (e.g., Hotjar, FullStory) to inform design decisions and measure impact.
• Experience with A/B testing frameworks and methodologies.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms integrate with customer-facing digital products can be beneficial for contextualizing user journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is paramount, as it's the industry standard for collaborative design. Experience with design systems is a core requirement, indicating a need for candidates who can think systematically and contribute to scalable design solutions. Familiarity with analytics tools is important for demonstrating data-informed design practices.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs through exceptional digital experiences.
• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams to achieve shared goals, valuing input from all disciplines.
• Excellence: Striving for high-quality outcomes in design craft, system thinking, and execution.
• Innovation: Embracing new ideas and technologies to continuously improve digital products and services.
• Integrity: Upholding ethical standards and fostering trust in all interactions and designs.
• Efficiency: Promoting streamlined processes and scalable design solutions through design systems and best practices.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to be active and integrated members of agile teams, working alongside product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders.
• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent and constructive feedback through design critiques, workshops, and regular team syncs.
• Shared Ownership: Fostering a sense of collective responsibility for product success, where design is seen as a critical component of the entire development lifecycle.
• Agile Participation: Actively engaging in agile ceremonies (stand-ups, sprint planning, retrospectives) to ensure design alignment and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Commonwealth Bank emphasizes a collaborative and customer-centric culture. For operations professionals, understanding how design integrates into the broader business strategy and how cross-functional teams operate is key to success. The values highlight a focus on quality, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing and aligning the diverse needs and priorities of various stakeholders (business, technology, customers).
• Design System Evolution: Continuously evolving and maintaining a comprehensive design system in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
• Cross-Platform Consistency: Ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience across multiple platforms (web, iOS, Android) while respecting platform conventions.
• Technical Constraints: Collaborating with engineering to navigate technical limitations and find optimal design solutions that are feasible to implement.
• Pace of Innovation: Keeping pace with industry trends and technological advancements to ensure CommSec's digital offerings remain competitive.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design System Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in design system architecture, governance, and advanced tooling.
• FinTech Industry Insights: Exposure to the unique challenges and opportunities within the financial technology sector.
• Accessibility Mastery: Continued development in accessibility best practices and inclusive design principles.
• Leadership Development: Potential for formal leadership training and opportunities to lead design initiatives or mentor junior team members.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining exposure to Product Management, UX Research, and Engineering practices to foster a holistic understanding of product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, identifying potential challenges and understanding the available growth avenues is critical. This role offers significant opportunities for specialization and leadership within the growing field of digital design and design systems.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you significantly improved a digital product's usability or conversion rate through UI design. What was your process, and what were the measurable results?" (Focus on process, impact, and data.)
• "How do you approach building and maintaining a design system? What are the key principles you follow, and how do you ensure adoption across teams?" (Emphasize systems thinking, collaboration, and scalability.)
• "Walk us through a complex UI challenge you faced in a previous role. How did you balance user needs, business goals, and technical constraints?" (Demonstrate problem-solving, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management.)
• "How do you incorporate accessibility standards (WCAG) into your design workflow, and why is it important?" (Showcase commitment to inclusive design.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about CommSec and Commonwealth Bank's mission in the digital investing space?" (Research their digital strategy and values.)
• "How do you typically collaborate with engineers and product managers in an agile environment? Describe your ideal relationship." (Highlight teamwork and communication.)
• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies, and how do you integrate them into your work?" (Show passion for continuous learning.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Begin with an overview of the project, your role, and the key challenge. Then, walk through your process chronologically, highlighting key decisions and rationale. Conclude with the final solution and its impact.
• Emphasize Design Systems: If applicable, dedicate a section to your design system contributions, showing components, guidelines, and the benefits derived.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (screenshots, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your points effectively. Explain why you made certain design choices.
• Quantify Results: Be ready to discuss the metrics and data that demonstrate the success of your designs. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss qualitative feedback or anticipated impact.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your process, decisions, challenges, and how you collaborate with others.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for a senior role should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership potential, and a deep understanding of design systems and user-centric processes. Candidates should be ready to articulate not just what they designed, but why and how it achieved business objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UI Designer position:

• Submit your CV and a link to your comprehensive design portfolio via the Commonwealth Bank careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your experience with design systems, complex UI design for web/mobile, and measurable impact. Tailor case study selection to highlight projects relevant to financial services or complex digital products.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to prominently feature keywords such as "UI Design," "Design Systems," "Figma," "Agile," "User Interface," "Digital Design," "Prototyping," and "Accessibility." Quantify achievements with specific metrics where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your experience with design systems and collaboration in agile environments. Research CommSec's digital offerings.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Commonwealth Bank's values, culture, and CommSec's specific position in the market. Understand their approach to digital innovation and customer experience.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.